Greeks Bar Jews’ Entry

December 2, 1934

Salonica (Nov. 30)

No foreign Jew will henceforth be permitted to enter Greece unless by special permission coming from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens, it was officiously announced today by the Greek government.

Greek consulates in foreign countries were instructed today by the government to inquire by cable of the Foreign Office in Athens whenever a Jew applies for a Greek visa. An exception is made only in the case of Jews of foreign citizenship already settled in Greece. These Jews can freely live in and enter Greek territory.

Foreign Jews proceeding to Palestine through Greece will not be permitted to pass the Greek frontier as transient travelers unless they possess a Palestinian visa on their passports, the official announcement of the government states.

COMES AS SHOCK

Jewish leaders here were highly embarrassed by this sudden re-restrictive measure. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency correspondent understands that representations will be made to the government by Jewish leaders against this measure, which is considered a specific discrimination against Jews, since the restrictions are not intended for foreign citizens of other religions.

The official announcement of the government came as a blow to the entire Jewish community in Greece, especially since It was made a few hours after Periclis Rhallis, governor-general of Salonica, had stated that no such order would be issued and that free entry would be secure to all foreigners, Jewish or not, if they were in possession of an ordinary Greek visa.

This is the first time a country is prohibiting foreign Jews to enter or pass through the land because of their religion.

The Jewish population in Greece has always been loyal to the Greek government and the present administration was, as a matter of fact, elected mainly because of the huge number of Jewish votes, which played a decisive role in defeating the candidates of the opposition party.